Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 May 19 - 02:09 PM

The fipple is otherwise known as the block. Yes you do put it in your mouth. You are thinking of the labium, which is one piece with the body and certainly won't be made of lead.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: leeneia
Date: 21 May 19 - 12:57 PM

We don't put our mouths on fipples. The fipple should never be touched by anything.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 May 19 - 02:43 PM

Lead makes very good fipples and most 19th century whistles used it. Shaw used it well into the 20th century.

A thousandth of an inch of paint or varnish will keep it away from your mouth.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: leeneia
Date: 20 May 19 - 01:15 PM

Don't be scared, Ryan. Even if it is lead (seems unlikely) the lead won't dissolve and get in your body unless mixed with an acid, such as tomato juice or lemon juice. Just don't use the flute to stir sauces.

I agree with Bill D that it's probably steel, anyway. Lead is soft and wouldn't make a good mouthpiece.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 May 19 - 11:27 AM

Ceramic version in action:

FB video

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 May 19 - 11:39 PM

Metallic lead is not very toxic and a varnish coat will deal with any problem.

There is an Italian ocarina maker who has recently started making all-ceramic instruments that work the same way.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 May 19 - 10:31 PM

My pictures were on an old server... I just took a couple of digital pics of my flute with the first couple of pages of the manual.

here

As to the mouthpiece and construction, they are stainless steel I'd bet. The mouthpiece 'may' have some lead in the solder, but I doubt it.

In case it's hard to read, the intro (by Fredrick Beckman, Supervisor of Music, Philadelphia Public Schools) says it was originated by Walter D. Lanahan.

The cover gives the location of The Melody Flute Company who published the book as Laurel, Maryland. So... because Laurel is about an hour from downtown Wash. D.C. where I bought my flute in about 1972, the old guy selling them may well have made it.

If there is enough interest, I 'can' scan the booklet... which is mostly 'how to' with some tunes.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Ryan
Date: 18 May 19 - 07:52 PM

Hey,

For those like me who stumbled across one of theese and want to know more information, this is probably the best place. The best I've found, for sure. The mouthpiece for most of theese, from what I gather IS lead. I've had mine for months not knowing this, and am now very scared. A company sells new versions with plastic mouthpieces now, but are currently either out of stock, or are not being produced anymore. not quite sure. here's the site.

Ryan

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Codega2012
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 05:24 PM

Wow, quite piece of information.. I was just given one of the Melody flutes, and the nice lady did not remember if it belonged to her daddy. I will keep this instrument as remembrance of a great era..

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,GTX Driver
Date: 03 Oct 15 - 01:53 AM

I got mine in 2nd grade in 1957. Still in near perfect condition including the cork. Also have the instruction book. Both were in my dresser for the last 50 years or so. I remember when we ordered them in school...I think they were a dollar, maybe two...I could be wrong.
They were your prized possession and you looked forward to your weekly music class. Just played it for the first time in more than 50 years.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,anna
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 08:20 PM

I have a melody flute from 1962/1963 that I played in the seventh grade. Trying to find out the if any is

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 13 - 11:09 AM

I think I probably should have just said Melody flute! LOL I don't think he cares if it's used or not...as long as it works!

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 May 13 - 04:46 AM

They are still common on German EBay under other names.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Bill D
Date: 17 May 13 - 09:17 PM

Interesting image John, because this is my Melody flute which has the welded-on fipple as shown on the original booklet.

I bought it from an old 'geezer' who asserted that he made them. I 'may' have an old 35mm slide somewhere of the guy.


The booklet says 1952, so the original company existed at least that long....maybe the old guy was a former employee who kept making them,,,*shrug*

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 May 13 - 07:28 PM

Some with less clear memories might be interested in the picture and descriptive details at:

DCM 1550: Melody Flute Co. / Transverse Flute in A-flat (B-flat)

at the Library of Congress.

Several downloadable images are available on the page, along with some other "interesting" links.

The information given is that the company ceased to exist in 1947.

[The "DCM" in the title for the entry indicates that the company was listed in the "Index of Defense Contractors and Manufacturers" that assigned a "manufacturer Code number" to anyone doing business with the US Department of Defense. "DCM 1550" quite probably was the "CodeIdent" for the company.

This index was always one of the best ways to track companies who might change their names or move around, but is very difficult to get into unless you're working for someone "in the book."]

It would appear that nobody still makes the "Melody Flute" under that name, however it is possible to find instruments like the transverse-blown melody flute in the picture, if you search under the name of "Fifes." The majority of instruments offered as "fifes" are poor quality, usually bamboo, and in my experience "hard to play" with good tone, but the rarer metal ones are quite nice, if simple, instruments, if you get one with a good blow hole in it.

John

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 May 13 - 07:15 PM

Never seen that one. Was it a whistle or an ocarina? (If it was banana shaped it would have had to be an ocarina).

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 17 May 13 - 06:21 PM

Does anyone remember the plastic Ffyffes banana whistle? It had about six holes and you got it by collecting the stickers on the banana skins. I played mine constantly and made up several tunes on it until my parents were nearly climbing the walls.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Bill D
Date: 17 May 13 - 05:13 PM

I don't think there ARE 'new ones'.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Trish
Date: 17 May 13 - 01:44 PM

My friend has 3; but they are old and he's looking for new ones. Can anyone recommend a place to get one (or several)?
Thank you!

e-mail me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,sarah
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 02:55 PM

im a flute player and was given a melody flute and want to learn how to play it any suggestions

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Mmmmmm
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 08:19 PM

I still have my Melody Flute with its instructional book. I practice and then play different songs occasionally. It was a starter instrument in elementary school. I also remember Mrs. Kiah, the music teacher, who would visit once a week. When I graduated to junior high and high school, I always wanted to play an instrument and be a band member.   Unfortunately, my parents could not afford even to rent an instrument and buying one was not in the equation. Consequently, I joined the chorus with director I. Sherman Green and did not regret not playing an instrument! We sang Latin, gospel, classical and contemporary music, etc...what a cultural enrichment! What an adventure!

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,robmolfig
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 12:17 PM

More on the Melody Flute...
Since I've been looking for this flute, I have this to share with you, guys...

As of today, 03/17/2011, I've seen the Classroom Method for Melody Flute by Frederick Beckman on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Classroom-method-melody-Frederick-Beckman/dp/B0007ESO84/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1


I also found this information on http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dcmhtml/dcmTitles16.html

Our flute is the one described as "DCM 1551: Melody Flute Co. / Transverse Flute in B-flat" although it used to be in C.

Keep searching... See you next time.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Andy F.
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 10:58 AM

I got a lot of use out of mine. I played in this sextet and I used to blow on a mike all the tunes of the day, the sound quality for such a simple instrument was amazing. Metal pipe w/holes and a side whistle, a work of art.

I would be interested in buying one i bought mine on 1975 for $8.95 music book included.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 08:03 AM

My Goodness!!! It makes me so happy to see so many people who got their music start with the Melody Flute made by Walter D. Lanahan in Laurel, Md. I worked in his flute making shop for several years during the early 50's. He was dedicated to the melody flute and was definitely one of the finest men I have ever met. By the time I worked for him, he had retired as a railroad worker. That was his primary profession and I believe he worked in Baltimore during his railroad career.

I was a high school student in Laurel at the time and recall his daughter, Mrs Bowie, the librarian at the school, very well. She was so good to me. When our family moved to VA, I still returned to Laurel on Saturdays to continue working and to visit my girl friend. Mrs Bowie invited me to stay overnight with them in their very lovely and stately home by the railroad tracks near the Laurel race track. I spend many a Sat night there. The shop where we made the flutes was directly behind the large house.

Mr Lanahan was dedicated to the Melody Flute Company and the many many young people he helped to teach to enjoy music. He, himself, was a superb musician and it was quite a treat for me when he would be in the shop and pick up a flute at random and begin to play. I just loved those times and would stop work and listen raptly as he played complicated pieces. Perhaps he would have done it more often if I had not stopped while he played since he was paying me by the hour at the time. I eventually started on piece work and was able to double my pay, thanks to the advice of this remarkable man.

There were several models of the melody flute when I worked there. The mainstay was the brass flute with a lead mouthpiece that was nickel plated in Baltimore. We did not have any idea of the dangers of lead in those days. Another model was a B flat model that did not have the mouthpiece but one blew directly into the hole on the flute. The third model was a plastic flute that sounded even better than the metal one in my opinion as it had a little softer tone.

It is so nice to remember so many wonderful memories made possible by this wonderful man.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,maeella
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 04:45 PM

I sure do. As a matter of fact, I still have mine. It's metal and the serial number is intact and can still be read. It sounds pretty good, too. Some were made in plastic but many were made in metal. The company was located in Maryland. I had always wanted my parents to take me on a tour there when we went south to visit family, but we never did.

Ah, what memories.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:50 PM

this is the plastic flute that many U.S. schools used to introduce music to 3rd and 4th graders. From this I went on to clarinet, then piano, then violin, then guitar, now nyckelharpa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonette
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textt/Tonette.html (don't be startled at the audio file which says ("tonette" when this page loads)
I jumped out of my seat when i heard the voice....

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 10:19 AM

I remember the school flute back in the 50's. I seen a couple on auction sites and they all said the length was around 13 inches. I don't remember mine as being that length. I think mine was around 11 inches. Does anyone remember the length of the school flute? That flute brings back memories.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Barbara Z..
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 06:39 PM

I just purchased the 1969 edition of the paperback "Melody Flutes - Self Instructor", published by the Melody Flute Co., Laurel, Md. I purchased it from an online used bookseller. I'm a senior citizen, just getting into music at this late stage. I'm taking an adult ed class in tinwhistle, so I'm now interested in wind instruments, and that was my reason for buying the above mentioned paperback book. I was wondering if the Melody Flute Co. was still in business, and that's how I found this thread.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,courtney
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 07:28 PM

i have a melody flute for sale any one willing to make a deal email me [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 03:02 PM

Yes I am from baltimore maryland,USA, adopted Geordie.
I was the First ever Official Archeologist of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland therefore steeped in the history of the city and the melody flute company. I also play tin whistle and have two- one in c and one in Bb.

Conrad

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,debbie
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 02:18 PM

yes, and would love to have mine back. anyone willing to part with theirs, please call me at 505-327-3231, would like to use it for instruction with the little ones in our Sunday School classes. my computer is down, so please use the phone. i am in NM now.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: robmolfig
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 12:44 AM

10/29/2009
Houston, TX

Wow!!! I can't believe I have found people that still remember those lovely 50's years when we had our elementary school Melody Flutes!!!

I remember way back in 1959 at my Rafael Cordero Elementary School in Santurce, Puerto Rico, that I never could learn to read music beyond "Mary had a little lamb" and "Hot cross buns", from that Frederick Beckman music method… But I developed the ability to come out with any tune I heard on the radio…, and even the ads jingles.

Although most of my peers learned to read music, most hated the class and even the teacher. I collected about four flutes, thrown away because of broken whistles but never could fix any of them.

Years passed and I don't know where my flutes end up but I've always missed and longed my old stainless steel, melted iron, right sided mouthpiece flute

Today I have a lovely violin and a sweet accordion and, oh yes…, a flute.
It is not similar to the old one... It's a brown plastic Tudor and I rarely play it, although, it's at hand reach on my computer table.

Tonight, I found the song "Amazing Grace" in the internet and grabbed my flute and started to play it and was caught up, wondering if I'll ever find my long lost love: my dearest infancy melody flute again…

So, I"googled" it and..., Alas!!!,
first thing I've found is this site with this Aine comment of Jan 2000,: "Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?"

And reading through all these entries, it's been like an old class reunion, remembering a good old friend of whom most of us treasure really good memories.

I even found here this site where I've seen "my love" again… and, Yes…, if they are for sale I'm buying mine.

Thanks to you all.
Roberto

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 07:03 AM

Do I gather correctly that Conrad Bladey's American? From his website I'd always assumed he was a Geordie...

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Milford
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:56 PM

Wow, another Melody Flute on eBay today, complete with homemade case!

Today I found this instrument on the Library of Congress American Memory website - memory.loc.gov. Look for the "Dayton C. Miller Flute Collection," Items no. DCM 1295 and 1551. [Sorry if somebody has already reported this; I haven't read all of this thread] There was also another version, essentially the same body, but without the mouthpiece, for the more accomplished musicians.

Also a correction to my post of yesterday - the plating is nickel, not chrome, and on second look that seems correct. No mention of the actual metal for the mouthpiece.

An oddity reported there is that while the key seemed to be marked C, it was actually B-flat - I'll have to get out my electronic tuner and see what it thinks the notes are. The advanced version was advertised as also available in B-flat which was actually A-flat.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Milford
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 01:03 AM

My first experience with the Melody Flute was a 5th grade class in Aberdeen, Md. in the early 1940s. We all bought them, but somehow, mine was one of a second shipment, and instead of being plain brass like the earlier ones, was chrome-plated. Recently I mentioned to a friend who had been a school band director that this was my first group music effort, and then did an internet search to see if it was still known, from which I found this site, among others. One was available from an eBay seller, and now it's mine. I don't remember how proficient I became during that school year, but I found that I can still pick out tunes on it.

Contrary to one of the above posts, the mouthpiece is NOT made of lead - it's some castable alloy that is much harder than lead, which would have been much too soft to hold its shape. Where the plating is worn off, as with the one I bought, it will, however, make a slight mark when rubbed on paper. Such metals are used for lots of other items - from "die cast" toy cars to parts such as carburetors (and probably fuel injection bodies now) of real cars, etc.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: mrwassail
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 09:19 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/1952-Classroom-Method-Melody-Flute-Co-Book-Learn-How-To_W0QQitemZ120382607501QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090223?IMSfp=TL090223131007r33421
Melody flute instruction booklet on ebay

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Bob D.
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 02:18 AM

I was raised in Beltsville, Maryland, in the late '40s and 50's,and on a Boy Scout campout a tentmate had this real neat "flute" which I found I could play music on, and one could be bought in nearby Laurel, Md.    That was my introduction to music, which included tenor saxophone in junior and senior high school.

The flute was very much in tune (I learned later that the original maker used to tune them with an oscilloscope) and easy to play with the whistle mouthpiece, and had a good clear tone to the top of the second octave. And indestructable (except for the cork, but that
could be replaced with a tightly wadded paper napkin, or even a 410 shotgun shell (spent), which fitted perfectly.)
I lost the flute sometime in the '70s. It was probably left behind
a chair cushion in a Houston hotel while getting a wife and three
kids packed to go.

While visiting my dad later at our old home, I went
to replace the lost flute and discovered that they had moved from
Laurel to a town called Beltsville! In fact, they were less than
a mile away, across the road from Boetler's general store (and,
as someone above mentioned, diagonally across from the new post
office.)
I think the original owner had died by then, but his children
were carrying on the store. But I don't think they had the same
zeal as their dad, and the C and Bb flutes I bought, while very
good, don't have quite the same, how should I say, quality,
precision, crispness, as I rememberd my first one having.
The markings could be read easily on the original, but are barely
discernable on the newer ones. The flutes still have that distinctive
mouthpiece, with the two bands with diagonal ridges (simulated cord?)
going around the barrel.

I still have those two flutes, and they are my instrument of choice
when I just want to "make some music", pin down a heard tune,
or figure out how the baritone part should sound in a
barbershop quartet song.
Don't need a case. Just roll them up (along with a D "irish" tin
whistle) in a bandana, and toss then in a briefcase, suitcase,
or backpack, and they're ready to go.

Yes, I remember the Melody Flute of Laurel, Maryland, and am still making new memories.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Shirley Parmelee
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 04:07 PM

In 1954 I got my Melody Flute from an Oak Ridge, Tennessee school. I still have it today, 55 years later. I was really good at it and have always loved music. I have kept it in my top dresser drawer since moving from Oak Ridge, TN in 1963 to Charleston, SC and then getting married in 1967 and moving to Greenfield, IN. It still stays in my top dresser drawer. What memories I have as a child playing the Melody Flute and I still have the instruction book too. I still love music and my husband and I sing in a duet at church. I play the piano, organ, accordian and any other kind of musical insturment that I can get my hands on.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 04:29 AM

"I didn't show early talent as a percussionist, but I would love to have toy instruments like those again."

Actually, I don't really want a Monkees drum-set again. I remember being rather disappointed at the quality, even at such an early age. In mint condition, it's probably worth a fortune, as my old baseball cards and comic books would be. Gone, all long gone.

The problem with the Orff instruments is that they're a bit too expensive for me at present. I also started looking into what a transverse flute would cost. It seems they are rather expensive instruments. I've therefore decided that I shall buy a trumpet when I've saved a couple hundred euros. The information I've found is that one can get a moderately good trumpet for a couple hundred euros less than one would have to pay for a flute of comparable quality.

Since I'm not an expert on musical instruments, it would probably be better for me to buy an instrument from a reputable retailer rather than buying from ebay or that sort of place.

Is anybody here knowledgeable about trumpets, flutes and buying instruments?

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 04:22 AM

Is the Orff method popular in the US or Great Britain? It is in Germany, where I live, and the music stores here sell a nice selection of Orff instruments: hand drums, tambourines, glockenspiels, maracas, etc. I used to have toy instruments like this as a child, and even a Monkees drum set! It disappeared fairly quickly, as I didn't play with it very often. I didn't show early talent as a percussionist, but I would love to have toy instruments like those again.

I think I may have had a recorder or a whistle at some time, and I'm sure I could have if I had wanted one. I remember having a harmonica or two. Sadly, I didn't learn to play by ear as a child and music education of the time discouraged playing by ear. That's probably why I never got very far with these instruments, or the beautiful autoharp we had, and a reason why I've become a True Believer in playing by ear.

I've got a couple of whistles and I like them. It's a challenge getting the accidentals. I've been playing my recorders more, though. This is a recent addiction for me and I haven't gone hog-wild buying flutes and whistles yet, but I fear it's only a matter of time.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 03:53 AM

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Craig - PM
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 05:18 PM

"Someone just gave me a Melody flute with the mouthpiece on the side. It sounds good but I believe that the mouthpiece is made of LEAD. You can actually write on paper with it. A lead mouthpiece is probably not too healthy to play!"

I would have thought even in those days, they would have known not to use lead for something you put in your mouth. Perhaps it's silver-plate? I also would have thought lead would be too soft.

On the other hand, maybe it's asbestos. Perhaps best to be cautious.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Craig
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 05:18 PM

Someone just gave me a Melody flute with the mouthpiece on the side. It sounds good but I believe that the mouthpiece is made of LEAD. You can actually write on paper with it. A lead mouthpiece is probably not too healthy to play!

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 11:53 AM

Here is a picture of some instruments that have been used in elementary school music education. The Melody Flute belongs to my wife. It's the same one she played in elementary school and she still noodles on it occasionally.
- Phil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13967329@N02/3222164331/in/pool-mudcat

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Tootler
Date: 02 Jan 09 - 07:03 PM

Frank,

You can get whistles in almost any key you like, both in higher and lower pitch than the regular D whistle. I have whistles in D, C, Bb, A, and G and you can go lower than that. The low D - an octave below the regular D whistle - is very popular. I find the stretch on a low D whistle a problem and prefer either a wooden flute in D or a tenor recorder. There are many fine players of the low D whistle and it does have a mellow tone which is different from the flute.

The site for all things whistle is Chiff and Fipple - http://www.chiffandfipple.com/. You will find it a mine of information. They also have a very active forum.

Here is an example of one whistle maker's website

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 02 Jan 09 - 01:58 PM

Aine,

I find the tin whistle in D used by Irish players to be too shrill for my taste. I'd like to
have a whistle that is a little mellower and less shrill on the overblown octave. Do they exist? If there was a whistle in G it would allow you to play in D or a whistle in A which would allow E. I like the sound of the whistle and see it as graduating to a legit flute wooden or otherwise.

Oddly, I like playing them in the bathtub. (How weird is that?)

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: GUEST,Dan Luce
Date: 02 Jan 09 - 10:15 AM

The HK Fife mentioned was probably made in New Jersey or in Troy, New York by a Henry Kallenberg.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Áine
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 09:59 AM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Áine
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 12:11 PM

Dear Conrad,

I'd very interested in seeing the article about Mr. Lanahan. Is there anyway that I could get a copy of it? Thank you for the information.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 12:09 PM

Lanahan lived in a wonderful old victorian house by the railroad tracks in Laurel Maryland. There was an article about him in the Laurel Md. bicentennial book. A part of the house has been preserved somewhere. It was knocked down for development.

The melody flute company also made fifes and flutes in addition to the melody flute itself.

In addition to the one piece designs I have seen them with clamp on fipples which can come off and on over the flute hole.

Conrad Bladey

Subject: RE: Anyone Remember The Melody Flute?
From: Áine
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 11:57 PM

Dear murray,

That's the same kind as I have. Now go find it, and make some happy music!

-- Áine